Out of 6 Industrial Training Centres (ITC) in Myanmar, India has set up two Centres – in Myingyan and Pakokku. During his visit recently, Mr.Nandan Singh Bhaisora, Consul General of India met with the Principal, Head of the Departments and some students at ITC, Pakokku. It was set up in 2010 and to date, 8 Batches of about 160-180 students have completed their course. As per the information given by the Principal, 100 % of students are getting placement either under the Ministry of Industry and other Ministries or in various Industrial Zones/Companies in Myanmar.
While speaking at ITC, Pakokku, the Consul General said that Myanmar has 55% of its population less than 30 years of age- its most precious resource- its young people- provide a large number of human resources, and if the right kind of skill is developed among them, this goes a long way in bringing industrial development as well as peace and prosperity for the nation; both the centres are doing exceedingly well in imparting the technical knowledge and training to the youth of Myanmar; they are easily getting jobs in the market.
He also mentioned that during May 2018, MOU was signed between India and Myanmar for the setting up of two more such Centres in Monywa and Thaton (Mon State). The intake has been about 180 students at each Centre, after completing their Grade-11 (with 17-25 years of age) and the selection is through documents and interview, strictly on merit. The courses being offered are -Machine Tools Operator/CNC Operator/Automobile Mechanic/Welder/Electrician /Electronic Course. The Centres come under the Ministry of Industry, Government of Myanmar. Consul General also mentioned that 85-88% students in the Centre in Myingyan too have been getting jobs in the market within 6 months of completion of their course in the preceding years; some of them have been going to Japan for 3 years internship in industries in Japan.
Mr.Bhaisora also said that Myanmar Institute of Information Technology (MIIT), a Centre of Excellence was set up under India-Myanmar Friendship Project and it became one of the top 5 Computer Universities/Institutes in Myanmar out of 33 within 2 years; running in 5th year, it is likely to be No.1 in Myanmar soon; the courses being offered are B.Eng.(Hons.) 5 years in Computer Science Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering; these have become highly sought after courses in Myanmar, as, for 120 students’ intake every year, more than 2000 students have been applying for the entrance exam. Also, the Institute had conducted one year Post Graduate Diploma Courses in Software Development; it is learnt that these students got jobs in Yangon, Mandalay and various countries like Japan, Thailand, Singapore, etc at 25-30% more salary package then the graduates from other Computer Universities of Myanmar. Certainly, these are the steps India has been taking for implementation of its Act East Policy as well as Neighbourhood First Policy.
The Consul General also said that India values its relationship with a close neighbour like Myanmar and would like to increase its engagement on a long term basis in various areas including healthcare, education, skill development, capacity building, connectivity, culture, trade & people to people contacts.
During his recent visit to Imphal, he also met with the Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University and requested him to invite a team of Rectors from various Universities of Myanmar for closer cooperation and exchange of faculty, students study trips as well as for exploring the possibility of signing the MoUs.
